Book-holder



(ModeL) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. A. DOM.

BOOK HOLDER.

Patented Mar. 15, 1887.

i I v I F n j m 3 Sheets-Sheet a. A. D O M.

. BOOK HOLDER. No. 359,245. Patented Mar. 15,1887.

' portion of my invention.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER DOM, OF MOUNT HEALTHY, OHIO.

BOOK-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 359,245, dated March 15 1887.

Application filed February 6, 1888. Serial-No. 84,138. (Modem Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented,

certain new and useful Improvements in Book- Holders, of which the following is a specification.

vMy invention relates to holders for supporting a single large book, such as dictionaries and the like.

The object of one of the principal features of my invention is to provide a holder which will cause the opposite pages of the book to be always on the same level, or nearlyso, when the book is opened, no matter where it may be opened.

The various features of my invention and the advantages resulting from their combined use, and also from their use singly or in groups of two or more, and in connection where applicable to book-holders of construction dif ferent from that herein shown,will be apparent from the following specification.

For the purpose of more fully illustrating my invention, I have shown it applied to a book.

Referring to the drawings forming part of this specification, Figurel is a perspective view of my invention, the book being closed. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same, the book being open. Fig. 3 represents one form of base for the holder, with-portions of the holder in section. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section taken at a point indicated by the dotted line 0500 in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a detached portion. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a clasp and handle. Figs. 7 and 8 represent modifications of one Fig. 9 is an isometric View showing modes of applying certain features of my invention to a table or desk. Fig. 10 is an elevation showing another mode of applying certain features of my invention to a table or desk. Fig. 11 shows another form of device for enabling the book to be inclined and set at a desired inclination.

The holder proper may be supported in any desired manner, and the base A may be of any desired form. \Vhen not supported by a table or desk,a preferred means for upholding it consists of a base having a perpendicular opening to receive the lever portion of stand cured a neck, 13, being preferably so secured as to be capable of turning freely in either direction, the preferable means being that shown, and which are as follows: Acup or sleeve, it, is formed in the lower end of the neck B, a setscrew, a, passing through the cup or sleeve a and into a groove around the end of the standard A, permitting the cup to to turn freely, but preventing'it from being lifted from the standard.

It is convenient in practice to use the book when the plane of its open or reading surface makes an angle with a horizontal plane--that is to say, when the edge of the open book which is next to the person inspecting its contents is lower than the opposite edgeand it is also desirable to regulate the degree of such inclination. A preferred means for enabling such adjustment to be carried into effect is as follows: To the upper end of neck B is connected a supporting-yoke, R, consisting of horizontal piece r and uprights S, so pivoted or hinged that it may be caused to assume different angles with the standard. A quadrant-rod, b, is secured at one end to the yoke R, the other end passing through the neck B, in which it may be secured at any desired point by a setscrew, 1), by which means the yoke B may be set at any desired angle.

To the upper ends of uprights S of yokeR are pivoted one end of the swing-rods O, the other ends of said rods being connected to the ends of the side pieces or frames, D, made solid or open, as desired, forming the top of the holder at or near the lower edges of said pieces D. XVhen the book is not secured to the side pieces or frames, D, in such a manner that it will not slip down when closed, aflexible strip or strips, (1, are connected to the side IOO pieces or frames,D, at or near their lower edges. This strip will hold the book in position between the side pieces when closed. These side pieces, D, and also the strip d, when present, form the top of the holder and support for the book, the sides of the cover of which are secured to the side pieces, D, by suitable means, preferably by clamping-strips (1, made of metal, one end of said strips being secured to the side pieces, D, of the holder, the other ends being bent down around the edges of the cover of the book, holding the cover firmly in contact with the side pieces, D, of the holder. The side pieces, D, may be so connected to the book as to prevent the latter from slipping down between them when the book is closed, and in such event the strip or strips (1 may be dispensed with. For instance, the clamping-strip d may be provided with a point or tooth,and when the said strip is bent around the edge of the cover this point may be driven firmly into the cover of thebook.

When the book is closed, the side pieces, D, fold up, as shown in Fig. 1, and when the book is open the side pieces, D, assume ahorizontal position, as shown in Fig. 2. Any other suitable means for securing the book to the side pieces may be employed, and these means may be such as contemplate one book only being constantly used with said holder, or which admit of the book in the holder being removed and another book being substituted therefore as often as desired.

To the horizontal bar 1*, near its longitudinal center, is secured a plate, E, extending at right angles to the length of the yoke, and in this plate is a slot, 6, and in this slot are two studs or buttons, e, to each of which is connected one end of a rod, E, the other end of each of which rods is connected to that side piece, D, to which it is adjacent, preferably by a hingeconnection, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the upper end of each of the rods E being formed into an eye which engages with a plate, 0", se-

cured to the side piece, D. The studs 0 are capable of being moved from one end of the slot e to the other.

When the book is secured to the side pieces, D, of the stand, it is supported, as it were, in a swing by the swing-rods O, which are connected to the uprights S, which swing is capable of a slight amount of lateral motion, the extent of which is governed by the length of the slot e in the plate E.

When the book is opened, it and the side pieces, D, of the holder assume the position shown in Fig. 2. If the book be opened in the middle, there will be an equal weight on each of the side pieces, D, and thestuds 6 will remain in the middle of the slot 6; and when it is opened at either side of the middle there will be more weight on one'side piece, D, than on the other, and this additional weight bearing down on the rod E, connected to the side piece, D, on which the additional weight is placed, carries the studs e to the opposite end of the slot e,which causes the rod E, connected to the side piece, D, bearing the lighter weight, to lift this side piece. Thus it will be seen that as one side of the book becomes heavier than the other it is depressed, and the opposite or lighter side is elevated to an equal degree, keeping the pages undergoing inspec tion at all times elevated to the same level at both sides, as illustrated by Fig. 2.

It is evident that that lateral movement allowed to the rods E, which in the aforesaid illustration is afforded by the slot 6, permits the book to be opened and closed.

In the modification shown in Fig. 8 the lateral movement necessary to the rods E is afforded at the sides of the side pieces as follows: The plate 6*, affixed to the side piece, D, is provided with a flange or projection, e con,-

taining aslot, e. The end of the rod E is provided with a projection, f, which plays in said slot, said projection being prevented from slipping out of the flange by means of a nut, stud, or enlargement, f. Suitable stops, h h, are affixed, as shown, to the rods E, which are now pivoted together atg, as shown, and in connection with the horizontal bar 7, act as stops for the rods E in the same manner as the ends of slot E did in the former instances. WVhen the plates 6 are thus slotted, suitable means are employed for supporting the rods Efor example, a swinging yoke, 13, (see Figs. 7 and 8,) pivoted to the uprights S,where the rods 0 are pivoted, and connected to the rods E at their pivotal point of connection, may be employed.

It is now apparent from the described operation of the rods 0, their supporting-yoke R, the movement of the book in connection with said rods 0 and rods E, and the provision for their necessary play, that the side pieces or frames, D, might be dispensed with, and the lower ends of the rods 0 connected directly to the edges of the book-cover by suitable means, and the plates might also be connected to the surface of said cover at substantially the same point where they are now connected to the side pieces. All such modifications will come within the scope of my invention.

Vhen my invention is constructed and applied substantially as described, it will operate,- when the book has been shut, to keep the book tightly closed until opened by human agency, and when opened the book will remain open until closed by human agency.

WVhen it is desired to employ any additional means for keeping the book, when not in use, tightly closed, any suitable clamp may be employed. A preferred form of such clamp, which may also be employed for lifting the holder and book, is shown in Figs. 4 and 6, and is as follows: To the upper edge of each of the side pieces, D, is connected ametal loop, I, the connection being made by the plates or cars J, the ends of the loops being formed into eyes and passing through said ears, as shown. One of the loops I is bent, as shown, to form a hook, j, which hooks into the opposite loop, and when so arranged these loops form a clasp .piece, N, of similar size.

to hold the book closed, and also serve as a handle by which the stand and book may be lifted and carried about. Inorder to prevent too great a jar when the standard A is lowered, by reason of the sleeve a dropping on the upper end or portion ofthe base A ofthe holder, I employ a bumper, K, either in the form of a spiral spring, as shown, or other elastic substance, upon which the sleeve a strikes when the standard is lowered.

It may sometimes be desired to support the book upon a table or desk, instead of on a movable stand, as above described, in which event the table or desk will form the base A, andthe standard A and neck B may be dispensed with and the yoke R attached directly to the table or desk, (see left-hand holder, Fig. 9,) or the yoke may be dispensed with and the swing-rod C be connected to the top of uprights or posts S, secured to the desk, (see right-hand holder, Fig. 9,) the plate E being also secured to the desk in a position corresponding to that which it occupies on the yoke It.

The operation and the remaining features of my invention are similar in all respects to that already described.

In the modification shown in Fig. 10 the uprights S are fixed to a platform, M, capable of being rotated upon the wheels at. WVhen preferred, the uprights S may be suitably supported. upon single vertical rods set into the table, or a suitable step, and turning therein. The device maybe arranged so as to always remain open at some one point or another.

Various descriptions of devices for clamping or setting the holder so that the open surface of the book may be set in a horizontal plane, or an angle thereto, as aforementioned, may be employed instead of the quadrant I) and setscrew shown. A very simple and convenient form of setting device for this purpose is shown in Fig. 11, and consists in connecting asuitable portion of base A to a disk or piece, N, and the neck B to another disk or These disks are held in contact by a set-screw, preferably a thumb-screw, at, whose shank preferably passes through one disk and preferably engages a screw-th read in the other, but maypass through the latter and engage a not on the outer side of the latter. Turning the thumb-screw in one direction brings the disks forcibly together and sets the holder at the angle at which it has been placed; and reversing the direction in which the thumb-screw is turned loosens the hold of the disks upon one another. In order that the disks may be more securely prevented from slipping when screwed or otherwise brought together, and that the force required to hold them in position may be economized, their inner or meeting faces are preferably roughened, indented, or corrugated.

The pieces Nneed not be disks, but may be angular or other desired configuration.

hat I claim as new and of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- E is permitted, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. In a book-holder, the combination of rods 0, pivoted at their upper and lower ends, subtantially as described, uprights S, pivoted to rods 0, hinge-rods E, and stops for limiting their oscillation, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4. In a book -holder, the combination of pieces D, uprights S, rods 0, pivoted together and to uprights S, substantially as described, hinged rods E, and stop, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. In a book-holder, the combination of pieces D, swinging-rods G, uprights S, swinging rods E, and stationary slotted piece E, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. The combination of a swinging support, as rods 0, uprights S, and the rods E, the side pieces, D, connected to the rods 0, and mechanism, substantially as specified, connected to rods E, for allowing them to conjointly move to allow the heaviest side or portion of the open book to be depressed and the lighter portion to be elevated, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

7. In a book-holder, the combination ofplates 6 rods E, swing-rods O C, uprights S, the studs (2, rods E, and slotted plate E, substantially as and for the purposes set forth,

8. In a book holder, the combination of plates 0, pieces D, rods E, swinging rods 0, uprights S, and plate E, provided with a slot in which the ends of rods E, disconnected from each other, play, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

9. In a book-holder, the combination of the side pieces, D, flexible strips cl, swing-rods O, rods E, slotted plate E, and uprights S, substantially as and for the purposes speci fied.

10. In a book-holder,the combination of the side pieces, D, clamps d, flexible strips d, rods 0, rods E, and the uprights S and the slotted plate-E, for allowing the heavier side of the book when open to sink and the lighter portion to be elevated till the open faces of the book are on a level, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

11. In a book-holder, in combination with the side pieces, D, connected at rear, the clamps j, substantially as and for the purposes specilied.

12. The combination of a book-holder supporting-standard, neck B,bar r, and quadrant b, the standard being located under the center of the holder and terminating in neck B, the neck B being pivotally connected to rod 7 at one side of center and engaging a quadrant, as b,

connected to the bar 0' at the other side of the center, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

13. The combination of the base A, pro- Vided with a perpendicular hole, standard A,

' engaging base A and provided with sleeve or shoulder a, and spring K, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

14. The combination of side pieces, D, uprights S, pairs of pivoted swing rods G, hinged rods E, and slotted plate E, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

15. In a book-holder, the combination of the uprights S, pivoted links 0, sides D, and hinged rods E, and slotted piece for allowing I 5 the rods E to travel in a reciprocating path, and means for limiting the swing or oscillation of the rods E, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

ALEXANDER DOM.

Vitnesscs:

B. 1 DOM, P. N. XVRIGHT. 

